The law also bans gay rallies and makes it an offence to suggest that gay relationships are equal to "traditional", or heterosexual ones.

In an interview with Interfax news agency, Milonov said: "I haven't heard any comments from the government of the Russian Federation, but I know that it is acting in accordance with Russian law.

"And if a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn't have the authority."

His comments came after the IOC released a statement on 17 July which said: "The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation.

"The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes.

"We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardise this principle."

The 'gay propaganda' bill was passed into law by President Vladimir Putin in June. Under the new law, fines can be imposed on those who provide information to minors about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

Public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.

The law has caused outrage in the LGBT community both in Russia and abroad. Many gay bars and clubs around the world are refusing to sell Russian vodka in protest of the bill. Thousands of people have also signed an e-petition urging the British Olympic Association to boycott the 2014 Games.

Gay US figure-skater Johnny Weir previously dismissed talk of a boycott, saying athletes who have "dedicated their lives to possibly having their lone life-changing moment" will be the ones who suffer the most.